FWP Likely To Sit
The Pittsburgh Tribune is reporting that Willie Parker did not practice again today. They are surmising that he will not play on Sunday night against the Chargers. Not sure who Coach Tomlin will choose to start. There are two trains of thought;
1) Start Mewelde Moore because he has been there and done that. Moore was a key contributor to the Steelers running game in 08 towards the march to Lombardi 6.
2) Start Rashard Mendenhall so that Moore can stay in the 3rd down/No Huddle package without disruption. This would be a HUGE opportunity for the former #1 benched last week for poor preparation
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_646120.html
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Mendy
I read that BA said he’s had a great week of practice and had actually ironed out the details by the weekend last week and would have been ready to play. I think it is high time we see him get at least 20 touches.
Thanks 5020...
It sucks we may not have FWP, but this is the game of football, that’s how it goes.
I’m in favor of starting Rashard, although I’d probably give more touches to MeMo if the game allows us to. Let Rashard come in and do what he can (I think a 25 carry performence might do him some good, but I doubt we’ll see him that much). MeMo offers a better skillset right now.
Give Rashard 10-15 touches, if he handles the load, let him be the “closer” in the fourth quarter, and give him a few more. With Rashard we should try and attack up the gut, with no J. Williams up front. Give Mewelde 15-20 touches, preferably 3 or 4 catches in there somewhere. Make the Chargers defend the flats a bit, and get the LB’ers off our tackles as much as possible. Logan anyone? A few touches on O wouldn’t hurt the little guy.
It will certainly be interesting to see how we use our remaining RB’s this week. They should both take this oppurtunity to prove why they could each be our starter next year, need be.
Logan
I’d love to see him do some damage in the flats, but I doubt we will see something like that with BA.
IMO this game will ride on Mendenhall and Moore’s performances.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Oct 2, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
11
He would be a perfect “Sproles type” player for our offense. I’ll bet Whiz would have a play a game designed for Logan.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
He definitely would...
They work a similar guy playing here and there in ‘Zona. It should be no surprise to anyone who watches “Pittsburgh West” that he’s a former Pitt Panter, LaRod Stephens-Howling. He hasn’t produced much yet, but has seen the field occasionally.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Oct 2, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember Stephens-Howling from Pitt. An above average tail back that had a couple clutch games in his career. I’ll be looking out for him.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Thank God both him and LeSean Mcoy are gone from pitt
they Killed WVU the last two years
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature.
The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
Depends how the game unfolds
Echoing the above sentiments, I’d like to see Mendenhall start and get a nice chunk of carries. It would seem to be the perfect game for his start with SD having a hard time stopping the run. If our D can’t stop them and the game turns into a shootout, Moore will probably see the bulk of action with a dose of Davis who’s probably a better blocker and can also catch the ball.
MMoore
In my mind there is no question at all. We all remember how last year MM was critical to our success especially in the games he started.
What exactly has RM done to earn this start? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I’m not interested in putting RM in a game to see what kind of player he is b/c he was a first round pick. I’m interested in winning games. MM gives us the best chance to win. Period.
Logan. I’m also in favor of seeing more of Logan. Start Moore and bring Logan in on 3rd downs. That would be an awesome combo. Give RM a few carries here and there. That’s all he’s earned.
first round picks are huge investments. They have to be given an opportunity in game situations. How else will he “earn” the carries? A few carries here and there will not tell them anything about his potential as a future starter. Mendenhall should start this game if FWP can’t go and he should only be yanked if he can’t hold onto the ball
Split the carries
Simple answer, let Mendenhall open the game. Give him the first 3 series. If he’s not producing get Waltzing Mewelde in there to fix things. And I love the idea of Logan making some kickass end around, or at the very least a screen pass.
Totally agree
Almost funny to see how everyone is 1) so disappointed in losing Parker and his 3.1 ypc and 2) how much people want to see Mendenhall and his career 103 yards rushing take over a full load.
Losing and going 1-3 is not an attractive option, so giving Mendenhall a chance he has clearly not earned seems pretty shortsighted.
by JonathanJoseph on Oct 2, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
As much as I think he is a bust, we need to see Mendenhall for an extended period.
This game needs to be in BBs hands, but we need the running game to alleviate some
13 years and no playoff wins for the Dallas Cowboys... SWEET!
it will be interesting
It will be interesting if Mendy does well how quickly the bust talk ends. Memo is great out in the flats but he as faired no better than anyone else running this year. Currently he is at 3.4ypc but if you take out his long of 15(like everyone wants to take out Mendy’s long run) he is averaging a stellar 1.5 ypc.
Mendy and MeMo
I see Mendy getting 18-22 touches and MeMo in the 8-12 range.
REDMAN WILL BE ON THE 53!
This is great news for the running game. Let’s see what the best preseason back on the roster can do when it counts!
by Mr 412 on Oct 3, 2009 4:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
here comes Redman!
lol…. Mendenhall better run with a fire under his axx. I like Redman but if he ends up playin Sunday nite, were in big trouble.
is Perenialness a word? cuz if so, thats what the stillers got. perenialness
I'm not comfortable with this
The Charger’s offensive strength is the deep ball to the middle and we don’t have Troy
The Charger’s defensive weakness is the running game and we don’t have FWP.
A win is crucial to the Steelers’ success for the season and for my mental health for the next month. And the Steelers have to trust this to Mendenhall. I know Memo will deliver when called upon and maybe Redman will get some real carries, but this key game will be on young Rashard’s back.
I’m getting some bourbon for tomorrow night.
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Right on showtime. I’m expecting the typical Steelers Sunday root canal treatment. Just gotta win by one. 3-2 and 50s happy all week.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
I thought football is supposed to be fun
if the Steelers can win this game, we may actually be able to enjoy the next two. I was hoping to see the Steelers beat Brady Quinn’s ass at least once, but he can’t stay on the field!
But first Mendenhall needs to win a game for us…
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Mendenhall
has his chance now. I’d give it to the guy. He has been called a bust this week and has been called out by his coaches so he is probably motivated as hell to prove he was worth the high pick. if he flops then he definitely is a bust but I predict he will either have a HUGE game that puts the whole league on alert and makes himself a fantasy stud or he is outright ineffective. Either way he’ll be the talk of the Steeler Nation all week long after the game.
I just don't have faith right now
recall the last time in which Mendenhall was called upon to help us win a crucial game. I hate being negative. PLEASE prove me wrong Mendy!
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Oh ye of little faith....
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
I dont know about a huge night
I guess that depends on your definition, but I think if he is given an adequate number of carries and have decent blocking, I think he will be in the 120 range. I like FWP and think he has done some nice things for us but I also think this is his last year here so this stretch of him being out(turf toe rarely means missing just one game) could represent the changing of the guard. Before anyone jumps on that, I am not saying ooh get rid of Willie he sucks, it just seems like this is the type of situation that has launched many a career and ended some(at least with the same team).
Not the same
Willie was never the same back after he broke his fibula in 2007 against the rams. I don’t know if its due to age or the pounding he gets every week due to our line and blocking schemes. I just hope Mendy steps up big and shows we don’t need Redman. Don’t have anything against Redman would just be nice to have a back than can carry the load for a whole game.
Pain is temporary pride is forever

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